Posted on 12/19/2014 6:27:23 AM PST by Alex Murphy
Average Catholics asked today how often they read the Bible likely would say that they do not read the Bible regularly. However, if asked how often they read Scripture, the answer would be different. Practicing Catholics know they read and hear Scripture at every Mass. Many also recognize that basic prayers Catholics say, such as the Our Father and the Hail Mary, are scriptural. But for most Catholics, the Scripture they hear and read is not from the Bible. It is from a worship aid in the pew.
Scripture always has played an important role in the prayer life of the Catholic Church and its members. For the ordinary Catholic in earlier centuries, exposure to Scripture was passive. They heard it read aloud or prayed aloud but did not read it themselves. One simple reason: Centuries ago the average person could not read or afford a book. Popular reading and ownership of books began to flourish only after the invention of the printing press.
Once the printing press was invented, the most commonly printed book was the Bible, but this still did not make Bible-reading a Catholic’s common practice. Up until the mid-twentieth Century, the custom of reading the Bible and interpreting it for oneself was a hallmark of the Protestant churches springing up in Europe after the Reformation. Protestants rejected the authority of the Pope and of the Church and showed it by saying people could read and interpret the Bible for themselves. Catholics meanwhile were discouraged from reading Scripture.
Identifying the reading and interpreting of the Bible as “Protestant” even affected the study of Scripture. Until the twentieth Century, it was only Protestants who actively embraced Scripture study. That changed after 1943 when Pope Pius XII issued the encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu. This not only allowed Catholics to study Scripture, it encouraged them to do so. And with Catholics studying Scripture and teaching other Catholics about what they were studying, familiarity with Scripture grew.
Scripture awareness grew after the Second Vatican Council. Mass was celebrated in the vernacular and so the Scripture readings at Mass were read entirely in English. Adult faith formation programs began to develop, and the most common program run at a parish focused on Scripture study. The Charismatic movement and the rise of prayer groups exposed Catholics to Scripture even more. All of this contributed to Catholics becoming more familiar with the Bible and more interested in reading the Scriptures and praying with them.
In a round-about way, aspects of U.S. culture also have encouraged Catholics to become more familiar with the Scriptures. References to John 3:16 appear in the stands at sporting events. Catholics who hear of and see other Christians quote or cite Scripture verses wonder why they cannot. Such experiences lead Catholics to seek familiarity with the Bible.
Such attitudinal changes bode well for Catholics, especially when reading and praying with the Word of God leads to lessons learned, hearts inspired and lives profoundly moved for good.
I know a lot of Catholics but I can’t think of any who are serious about anything spiritual. They’re mostly serious about eating, drinking and football and such.
I don’t think Msgr was stating that the scripture in the ‘worship aid’ in the pew is not from the Bible. I think he was saying that many Catholics consider the question more literally and therefore answer it incorrectly.
If you asked me if I read the Bible weekly, I would initially answer ‘no’, because I infer that to mean independent reading outside of Mass. But I am, and I believe all church-going Catholics are, aware that I read scripture from the Bible every time I go to Mass.
IMHO
Love,
O2
At one time the Catholic Church actively discouraged the flock from reading the Bible. Only the highly educated clergy were capable of understanding and “interpreting” it for them.
Not the case today.
“What about whether “signs” are still valid?”
A valid point. Some churches go to either extreme, either requiring signs or refusing to acknowledge any. It is certainly an area that divides churches.
FWIW, my sister is a Trinity-believing pentacostal and I am not, but we’ve both worshiped without a problem in each other’s churches. But you are still fully correct to add that to the list I gave.
There are probably others, but I doubt a very good list would run beyond single digits. American and Southern Baptists, for example, split in the 1800s over the issue of missionaries owning slaves. I’m a Southern Baptist since I’m a member of an SBC congregation, but I was baptized by an American Baptist. I’ve known baptists who were baptized by Lutherans and Methodists. For membership, our congregation requires believer’s baptism, but we do not specify any denomination.
To be honest, belief in the Trinity is one of the best ways of discerning between cult and Christian. We would accept baptism by a Catholic priest, provided it was done as recognition of conversion and not an an infant. We would not accept it from the LDS, or a pentacostal church that rejected the Trinity.
More with the non-biblical indulgences!
Are you making your own personal interpretation??
What means/methods do you use to determine if the msgr is a "dunderhead"?
Thought all catholics were like the borg....move with one mind.
IMHO, there is nothing more sacred and joyous than lifting up our voices to God in praise, supplication and endless gratitude. Good for you sister.
There is TOO much in the Bible to SOMETIMES confuse me. So, I let those who LIFE'S WORK revolves around, among other things, sacred Scripture, explain meanings. They DO know the confusing, seemingly unfair and unclear meanings and are always ready, willing and able to explain.
Are you making your own personal interpretation??
What means/methods do you use to determine if the msgr is a "dunderhead"?
Thought all catholics were like the borg....move with one mind.
Priests HAVE to have a certain I.Q. these days AND pass a multitude of psychological exams.
No dunderheads these days, nor are there any pedophiles.
There are a few who have had too many big meals...but that's not so abnormal in us humans.
Thanks for your clear, concise and slightly humorous response to him. You hit EXACTLY the correct words and tone.
Considering that Catholic bibles contain higher critical commentary, they’re better off not reading it at all.
To read the actual word of God is a tremendous privilege? Why would you not take advantage of that? It’s feeding for the soul. There is enough there that you don’t have to ask another for guidance. Psalms are easily understood for example and truly.strengthening.
Church leaders are more into social issues than deep study of god’s word. But in the latter lies revival.
His ignorance of Catholic history and teaching regarding the reading of Scripture.
Good point.
Thank you for your civility. Writing that there were bad translations in the vulgar did not mean all of them were. I did not mean to give that impression.
I have no debate regarding Christ being necessary for our eternal life with Him.
I agree that a shared doctrine on the Trinity is one of the best ways to discern between Christians and Cults. We Catholics consider Baptisms by other sects valid. We stopped accepting baptisms done by LDS a few years ago when it was made clear that their understanding of the Trinity was far different from traditional Christian belief.
May the Joy of awaiting the celebration of Christ’s Birth enlighten your heart and home.
Drinking beer is not along the same lines as blasphemy.
Has not the totally inane statements coming from much of Academia not taught you that IQ level is not a protection against ignorance in matters both large and small?
Aaaahhhhh, the wisdom of that generation! : )
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.